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DAY 18

Back in the saddle for the last leg

ROUTE: Ft Smith AR to Conway AR DISTANCE: 122 Miles WINDS: Kickin' in our direction...WNW 15-25
WEATHER: Mostly sunny, 51 at departure and 70 at arrival TERRAIN: Rolling to flat TOTAL CLIMBING: 3100 feet

DAILY DOINGS: Welcome back...we're at it again.  We're on our last leg of our adventure across the southland.  Most everyone enjoyed the much needed rest day yesterday.  The day was spent cleaning bikes, visiting the local bike shop, washing clothes, a little sightseeing, and mostly just lounging around resting and watching TV.  But this morning everyone was ready to get on their way.  We were finally loading the van and everyone was scurrying around tending to their bikes when all of a sudden I turned around and everyone was GONE.

Boy, it just don't get any better than this!!!  We slept in this morning and didn't load until 8:00.  A couple good reasons...one, it's just nice to have a more leisurely departure; two, we expected great winds that would speed us down the road; and third, we needed to let the traffic thin out a bit...after 8:00 it was much quieter than at 7:00.  No body objected to the later departure, but Scott was starting to twitch uncontrollably just before we opened the luggage van. 

To say we had favorable conditions would be an over statement.  The winds were howling right at our back for payback for the headwinds we've had over the last few days.  It was hard to keep up with the riders while driving the van.  If I'd stop to help fix a flat, it would be 7 miles before I'd get back to the riders I was with before I stopped...they were all flying.  Even the new riders we picked up on our day off.  We now have 6 new riders that will ride to the finish and we'll pick up another rider in Aberdeen.  You can check them out in Meet The Riders and hopefully you'll see them in the daily page.  I couldn't keep up with them today, so I didn't have photos of them riding today.

Today we rode in our 6th state...Arkansas.  We are definitely in "Hawg" country as we witnessed a sign (left) of a Razorback on the side of a mountain after we crossed the river in Russellville.  Although Oklahoma had some beautiful terrain, I think the riders are glad to finally get off their back roads.  Oklahoma should get the recognition for having the roughest roads on this trip so far.  We only broke 4 wheels though.  Most of the time when we were on quiet country roads, the surface was pretty bone jarring...things have to look up, we'll see. 

Our departure from Ft Smith was not as busy as last year since we made a change to the first 5 miles.  Our motel sits right on one of the busiest streets through town and there is little or now room for a bicycle.  So yesterday we scouted out an alternate plan that bypassed the busiest part of the departure route.  By the time we got back to our scheduled route at 5  miles, the traffic thinned out and we picked up a nice shoulder for most of the day except for the short section when we crossed the Arkansas River at Russellville and when we entered several small towns where the shoulder disappeared. 

By the time we got to the first SAG, almost everyone commented that it was a perfect day, perfect roads, and perfect weather...we had TAILWINDS, sunshine, and temperatures in the mid 60s...what could be better?  At the end of the day, someone asked what it would take for us to have this type of day for the rest of the trip.  Unfortunately, there's usually a payback somewhere, but we'll take it when we can get it. 

The terrain today was gently rolling at best, but we amassed a total of 3100 feet over the 122 miles.  Although our terrain was gentle today, we could see the Ozark Mountains all around us.  And spring has definitely sprung all around.  We're seeing more trees and green pastures dotting the landscape between the high ridgelines and along the Arkansas river. 

Although today was a relatively long day, we kicked it out pretty quickly with the nice tailwinds and favorable conditions.  Everyone was in by 4:30 in spite of the late departure this morning...great day after a day of rest.  Tomorrow is a short day and the winds are supposed to be favorable again.  I hope they don't get used to this...but it sure is nice.  See you then.
DAILY DISCERNING DIALOGUE:

"Boy, I'll take this wind anytime."
"Even if you were riding the other way?"
 

"This is the best day I've ever had!"

"I set my personal best for a century today...4:58!!!"  Rachel commenting on the great day.

"I never thought I'd think a 122 mile day was a rest day."

"Where did the Comfort Inn go?" 

"We thought Mike put the motel over the hill...glad the guys were yelling at us to stop."  They changed the name of our motel to a Quality Inn and didn't tell us.  Just past the motel was a big hill they couldn't see over that just went out into the country.

 DAILY DUH: Sometimes people avoid this column the whole ride.  You might think they are just above this sort of thing, but in actuality I just don't find out about things they do that would qualify.  If I did hear about it all, this column would be longer than the whole page.  Maybe I should just do DUHs...put out spies and have them report everyday...I might just be on to something.

But as some never make their way into the DUH section, others just fall into it before they even get started...such is the case today with Dean.  He's ridden with us before, but this trip he gets a DUH before he even arrived.  Seems when he landed at the airport, he called the Fort Smith taxi service for a lift to the motel.  They didn't come and didn't come...what's up?  He called back to see what was the hold up..."Where are you guys?"  "We're at the airport, where are you?"  "Oops...it was then realized he had landed in Fayetteville Arkansas instead of Fort Smith...a mere 80 miles away...Uh, never mind.  I figure he was just outside the range of responsibility of Ft Smith Cabs 'R Us.   Welcome back Dean...the cross country riders are happy you took some of the pressure off them today.

DAILY DIGITAL DELIGHTS

Everything was going really well this morning when I came upon Will sitting by the roadside with a flat.  When I got out to help, I found him entertaining Doug by playing Mozart's etude in F#minor on his tube...what talent.

Folks were flying today...so much so that Jeff (right) presented David with a "hammer head" to acknowledge his prowess on the pedals.

One silo for the cows and one silo for the farmer.

Jim says, "Not if I get there first."

 

  While protecting Mike who was in Yellow, Team Alabama rode triumphantly into Paris.  It wasn't the Champs-Elysees, but it was an impressive showing on the Rue de la 22.

We sought out a bike shop in Russellville...neat place.  It's not often you see a TREK bike displayed with a Stihl Chainsaw.  You can get your lawnmower repaired too while you shop for that perfect bike. They also have posters of Lance and Chippolini right beside fan belts. 

 

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